As I live life as a mommy of two littles here in this great nation, I think about India where a sister (by blood) glows with delight in her new classroom that she spent sweet sweat to create. I think about the winds that blow in this season, the returning migrates from the cool hills, the ends of fastings, the anticipation of the rains.
Monsoon breaks upon the dusty world like the sun upon the earth after a night so black you thought the world had ended. It is like the way spring bursts. The smells, the charge of electricity, the refreshing after the heat.
And the swimming dirty streets also rise up in my memory and I am thankful for here.
This is my top ten things I am thankful for today here in America.
1. Running water. I love that I never have to worry about my water supply. I shudder at our bill the think how much lower it would be if I had to haul each and every drop we use just like the women in my neighborhood in India.
2. Electricity. I hear the electricity situation has improved for the upper and middle class of the majority religion in our city but I wonder for our neighborhood. Is it better? Has it gotten worse, being drawn into more influential neighborhoods. I pray not. Here it is never out. Never.
3. Libraries. I know I've said it OVER and OVER again but Abe celebrated his birthday last month and received a SINGLE book. One. Usually that is all he gets with a little car perhaps. Due to libraries he got a scooter, trains, clothes, crafts and all sorts of other paraphernalia.
4. The sound of fire engines. We hope to visit our local station this week. They will call us with a time for our visit and will not only show us around but give us free stickers and coloring books. I am still a little in awe of this amazing service.
5. Also I am thankful for Abe's helmet. He wears it on his above mentioned scooter. He got it for free from Officer Friendly of the Kenosha police. I continue to wonder at the police. I wave vigorously at all officers we pass and try to obey traffic laws.
6. Green.
7. Gardens.
8. Parks.
9. Grass.
10. Hanging green plants. We drove up to a family's home to join them for an afternoon full of laughter and fun. Zana chortled with delight at the matching hanging pots chock a block full of pansies. The city even puts pots of plants at random intersections to beautify the city. They beautify my soul. I am so thankful for the green, everywhere!
Monsoon breaks upon the dusty world like the sun upon the earth after a night so black you thought the world had ended. It is like the way spring bursts. The smells, the charge of electricity, the refreshing after the heat.
And the swimming dirty streets also rise up in my memory and I am thankful for here.
This is my top ten things I am thankful for today here in America.
1. Running water. I love that I never have to worry about my water supply. I shudder at our bill the think how much lower it would be if I had to haul each and every drop we use just like the women in my neighborhood in India.
2. Electricity. I hear the electricity situation has improved for the upper and middle class of the majority religion in our city but I wonder for our neighborhood. Is it better? Has it gotten worse, being drawn into more influential neighborhoods. I pray not. Here it is never out. Never.
3. Libraries. I know I've said it OVER and OVER again but Abe celebrated his birthday last month and received a SINGLE book. One. Usually that is all he gets with a little car perhaps. Due to libraries he got a scooter, trains, clothes, crafts and all sorts of other paraphernalia.
4. The sound of fire engines. We hope to visit our local station this week. They will call us with a time for our visit and will not only show us around but give us free stickers and coloring books. I am still a little in awe of this amazing service.
5. Also I am thankful for Abe's helmet. He wears it on his above mentioned scooter. He got it for free from Officer Friendly of the Kenosha police. I continue to wonder at the police. I wave vigorously at all officers we pass and try to obey traffic laws.
6. Green.
7. Gardens.
8. Parks.
9. Grass.
10. Hanging green plants. We drove up to a family's home to join them for an afternoon full of laughter and fun. Zana chortled with delight at the matching hanging pots chock a block full of pansies. The city even puts pots of plants at random intersections to beautify the city. They beautify my soul. I am so thankful for the green, everywhere!
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